Inevitably there will come a time when your golf clubs stop performing at the same level as when you first bought them.
Recommendations for how often you should replace your golf clubs differ depending who you ask.
Some say golf clubs often last 3 years minimum with some even suggesting you could have the same clubs forever – provided you didn’t use them often.
Others suggest you should look to replace your old clubs every five years.
The reality is you can keep using your golf clubs for as long as they don’t impact your game.
But if you play often enough, your clubs will start to pick up imperfections that can impact your shots.
Here are just a few of the issues that can arise that could mean you need to replace your golf clubs sooner rather than later.
Clubface damage
Clubfaces are built to be strong and resilient. But if you play a lot, they’ll obviously go through a lot of impact, which can lead to issues over time.
Scratch marks and scuffs are commonplace on clubfaces the longer they’re used.
You may also notice slight dents and chips on occasion.
These could be the result of excessive use over time.
But it could also be due to catching the clubface on a solid surface, like a stone.
Even the smallest dent or mark on your clubface can impact the direction and power you generate.
So if you’re starting to see excessive marks, dents or chips on any of your clubfaces, it’s likely time for an upgrade.
It’s possible you could try just replacing the clubhead and keeping the shaft.
But this can be a lengthy process and depending on the club it could be cheaper to just replace the entire golf club.
Broken shafts
Despite what you might read, it’s really not possible to properly repair a broken shaft.
It’s possible that you can reshape a bent shaft on your golf club, but even this only works if it’s a slight bend and - chances are - the club won’t perform the same.
This is because every element of your golf club’s shaft is design and manufactured with aerodynamics and precision in mine.
Everything from the club length, to the build, to the materials and the weight all works together.
So any damage, like dents or chips, could cause your swing to change. Even if the changes aren’t that noticeable.
If the damage is just cosmetic, then it’s not necessary to replace the club. But if you start to see changes in the results of your swing then this could be because the club is too heavily damaged.
Rust and temperature damage
Storing golf clubs in improper locations can be a disaster for their well-being.
Specifically, you should never store your golf clubs outside, because they’ll undoubtedly get wet, which leads to rust if your clubs aren’t dried off quickly.
You shouldn’t leave your clubs in spaces like a garden shed, either.
This is because humidity can lead to moisture in garden sheds, which can cause your clubs to rust as well.
Temperature fluctuations in car boots make them a terrible place to store your clubs, too.
Plus, if you leave your clubs in the boot when you’re driving, there’s a solid chance you’ll hear them rattling and clanging into each other.
This is when clubs develop those scratches, dents and chips we talked about earlier.
You can remove light rust from your golf clubs - wiping them with a soft cloth doused in vinegar or lemon juice is a popular trick.
But if the rust has had time to set in, specifically on steel shafts or clubheads, you’ll begin to see indentations once you’ve wiped all the surface rust away.
These unfortunately can’t be removed, and you’ll need to replace the club.
Will old age damage my clubs?
This is a question that pops up a lot, and a lot of golfers feel their clubs can only last so many years before they begin to naturally break down.
But that’s simply not true. There’s no evidence whatsoever that age affects well-maintained clubs in any way.
So it’s the responsibility of the owner to make sure their clubs are kept clean and stored in appropriate conditions.
Keeping them in your home in a dry room with a level temperature is always the best bet.
This is certainly the opinion of those tasked with creating the clubs we all use. According to Paul Wood, VP of Engineering at Ping:
“Unless there is some manufacturing defect the club will last longer than the person swinging it.”
So unless you spot some physical damage on your club, as we’ve described above, it should serve you well for years to come.
Some say the only reason you should ever replace your clubs (beyond damage) is when golf technology leaps forward.
In which case, you absolutely should buy some new clubs to stay on top of your game.
Pick up some new golf clubs at Clarkes Golf
Whether you’re replacing old, battered clubs or are looking to invest in the latest model, we have a massive selection of drivers, irons, woods, putters and other great golf gear at Clarkes Golf that'll make your golf bag feel complete again.
With individual clubs and full package sets from some of the biggest golf club manufacturers in the world, we’ll have something to take your fancy.
Alternatively, if you’re in the Rainford area, why not stop by our golf shop, so you can see all our incredible clubs and golf equipment in person, along with our club fitting facilities?
We’re located at Mill Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8LN.